The release of the /e/OS 1.6 mobile platform is introduced, aimed at preserving the privacy of user data. The platform was founded by Gaël Duval, creator of the Mandrake Linux distribution. The project provides firmware for many popular smartphone models, and under the Murena One, Murena Fairphone 3+/4 and Murena Galaxy S9 brands, it offers editions of OnePlus One, Fairphone 3+/4 and Samsung Galaxy S9 smartphones with /e/OS pre-installed firmware. In total, 209 smartphones are officially supported.
The /e/OS firmware is being developed as an offshoot of the Android platform (using LineageOS developments), freed from being tied to Google services and infrastructure, which allows, on the one hand, to maintain compatibility with Android applications and simplify hardware support, and on the other hand, block the transmission of telemetry to Google servers and ensure a high level of privacy. Implicit sending of information is also blocked, for example, accessing Google servers when checking network availability, resolving DNS, and determining the exact time.
To interact with Google services, the microG package is preinstalled, which eliminates the need to install proprietary components and offers independent analogues instead of Google services. For example, to determine the location by Wi-Fi and base stations (without GPS), a layer based on the Mozilla Location Service is involved. Instead of the Google search engine, it offers its own metasearch service based on a fork of the Searx engine, which ensures the anonymity of sent requests.
To synchronize the exact time, the NTP Pool Project is used instead of Google NTP, and the DNS servers of the current provider are used instead of Google DNS servers (8.8.8.8). The web browser has an ad blocker and script blocker enabled by default to track movements. To synchronize files and application data, a proprietary service has been developed that can work with NextCloud-based infrastructure. The server components are based on open source software and are available for installation on user-controlled systems.
The user interface has been significantly redesigned and includes its own environment for launching BlissLauncher applications, an improved notification system, a new lock screen and other styling. BlissLauncher uses a set of automatically scalable icons and a selection of widgets (for example, a widget for displaying a weather forecast) specially developed for the project.
The project also develops its own authentication manager, which allows using a single account for all services ([email protected]) registered during the first installation. The account can be used to access your environment via the Web or other devices. In the Murena Cloud, 1GB is provided free of charge for storing your data, synchronizing applications and backups.
By default, the package includes applications such as an email client (K9-mail), a web browser (Bromite, a fork of Chromium), a camera program (OpenCamera), an instant messaging program (qksms), a note-taking system (nextcloud-notes), PDF viewer (PdfViewer), scheduler (opentasks), map software (Magic Earth), photo gallery (gallery3d), file manager (DocumentsUI).
Major changes in /e/OS 1.6:
- The design style of all applications has been modernized.
- Removed the LibreOffice-based document viewer from the core, which is a side project not maintained by The Document Foundation. To work with office formats, it is recommended to install the Collabora application from the App Lounge catalog.
- Post-capture photo editing tools have been added to the camera app.
- Added the ability to search for installable web applications (PWAs) to the App Lounge application manager, improved the update process, and accelerated program loading.
- Privacy tools now display the name of another VPN.
- Bliss Launcher's application launcher interface has been updated with a notification confirmation dialog that appears after the screen is unlocked. After deleting the application, the deletion of the associated widgets is ensured.
- The mail client updates mail folders every 5 minutes.
- Bug fixes and vulnerabilities have been moved from the codebase of the LineageOS project. Updated package versions for MicroG 0.2.25, App Lounge 2.4.1, Advanced Privacy 1.4.0, Orbot 16.6.2 and Bliss Launcher 1.6.0.
- Fairphone 4 and Fairphone 3 smartphones have the ability to update firmware to Android 12 and 11 branches.
Source: opennet.ru